Abstract:
This experiment began in 1923 at a site that was in arable crops from the 18th century. The original ecosystem (before cropping) was a forest. The experiment consists of the following land use and treatments:

The soil is described as a Hapludalf. The measurements made, methodology, and frequency are listed below:

a) Vegetation measurements made and frequency

Yield: Every year Total above-ground dry matter: Every year Carbon content of offtake: 8-10 years Nitrogen content of offtake: 4-5 years since 1963. 4-5 years since 1963: Ca,P,K,Mg + Mn,Zn,Cu occasionally.

b) Soil sampling

Details of soil sampling method: Each treatment is in 3-5 replications. Soil is sampled on each rep. separately; some samples are stored and analysed for each rep. separately. 15-20 cores from plough layerand 2-3 cores from deeper layers. Sampled using auger. Soil samples come from 30 sq m in centre of plot. Soil is separated into layers Details of measuring depths and soil layers: 0-25 cm every 6-10 years since 1957. 25-40,40-70 cm 3 times since 1957

c) Soil measurements made and frequency

Total carbon: 3-4 times since 1957 Method of measuring total carbon: Total carbon was determined by Tiurin method (using K2Cr2O7 for oxidation of C org.) Biomass carbon: 1994 only Method of measuring biomass carbon: Microbial biomass using chloroform fumigation, method described by PC Brookes et al. Carbon measurements in other organic matter fractions: 2-3 times Method of measuring carbon in other organic matter fractions: Carbon fraction determined by Tiurin modification method, described in Kozakiewicz, A (1966) Soil Sci.Annual t. 16,113-130. Total nitrogen: 3-4 times since 1960 Method of measuring total nitrogen: Distillation of NH3 from soil after Kjeldahl digestion of soil organic matter with H2SO4 and K2OS4 + CuSO4 as a catalyst. Total mineral nitrogen: 3 times Method of measuring total mineral nitrogen: NO3- & NH4+ were extracted from soil with 0.05M K2SO4 or 0.02M CaCL2. NH4-N and NO3-N in the extract were measured by steam distillation with MgO using Devard's alloy for reducing NO3- to NH4+. Biomass nitrogen: 1994 only Method of measuring biomass nitrogen: Chloroform fumigation Nitrate nitrogen: 3 times Method of measuring total mineral nitrogen: NO3- & NH4+ were extracted from soil with 0.05M K2SO4 or 0.02M CaCL2. NH4-N and NO3-N in the extract were measured by steam distillation with MgO using Devard's alloy for reducing NO3- to NH4+. Biomass nitrogen: 1994 only Method of measuring biomass nitrogen: Chloroform fumigation Nitrate nitrogen: 3 times Method of measuring nitrate nitrogen: As for soil mineral N Ammonium nitrogen: 3 times Method of measuring ammonium nitrogen: As for soil mineral N Soil bulk density or weight: 1980,1994 Method of measuring soil bulk density or weight: Bulk density was determined in soil with undisturbed structure (in a 52 cu cm vessel) after harvest. Field water capacity, capillary water capacity and porosity were also determined. Other nutrients: Exchangeable K, Mg,Ca,Al and available P (Egner-Riehm met.),Mg (Schachlschabel met.). Mn,Zn,Cu,Fe extractable in 1M HCl. Also sorption capacity, pH and hydrolytic acidity.

d) Details of the meteorological station

Nearest meteorological station to the site: Skierniewice which is 0 km from the site at coordinates 20deg10min E, 51deg58min N. The meteorological station is automatic.

e) Meteorological data available and frequency

Rainfall: Every day Air temperature: Every 6 hours Soil temperature: Every 6 hours Wind speed: Every 6 hours Sun hours: Every day Relative humidity: Every day This information was compiled for the GCTE-SOMNET Database, Pete Smith, Pete Falloon, David Powlson, and Jo Smith. Soil Science Department, IACR-Rothamsted, UK.

Description:
This url links to the GCTE-SOMNET home page where additional project information and methodology can be obtained. This site is currently in a datasharing phase of the network where actual data will become available shortly, at different levels of accessibility. Please follow this link for more information.

Quality
Details of the plots: Width of smallest plot is 3 m Length of smallest plot is 15 m Width of largest plot is 5 m Length of largest plot is 10 m Details of direction of cultivation: Plots 10x5 right angles; plots 15x3 parallel

Details of ... replication and randomization:

There are at least 3 replicates in the experiment. The experiment has a restricted randomized plot design. Systematic. Ca or 0 treatment on rotation 1. Ca treatment on rotations 2 and 3. Inside meteorological enclosure there are grasses not fertilized since 1921 (100 sq m) and ploughing plot (8 sq m).

Kleszczycki, A., Kozakiewicz, A. and Lakomiec, I. 1967. Effect of many years treatment with mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure on the organic soil matter in the light of 44 experimental years. Soil Science Annual, t. 17, 243-251.

Kozakiewicz, A. 1966. A new conception of the composition of humus in some types of mineral soil in the light of results obtained with a modified I. Tiurin method part I. Soil Science Annual, t. 16, 113-130.

Kusinska, A. 1993. The effect of the plant cultivation system on the contents of the organic matter in soil on the fraction composition of humus, on the structure of physical-chemical characteristics of humus acid. Treatises and Monograph, Warsaw Agricultural University, 1-17.

Lakomiec, I. 1966. Effect of many years fertilizer treatment and the compositions of humus compounds in podzols. Soil Science Annual, t. 16, 131-156.

Mercik, S., Nowosielski, O. and Paul, M. 1993. Effect of 35 and 70 years differentiated fertilization and crop rotation on nutrients content in soil at the long-term experiments. Scientific papers of the Agricultural University in Krakow. Nr. 278 part I, 85-96.